| 1) | Canned
Heat "Friends In The Can"
Ruf Records Well over a decade since their contribution to John Lee Hooker's million selling, all-star "The Healer" album, canned Heat come up with their own similar project. While The Heat's original contribution to Hooker's renaissance has long been undervalued, it has to be said the current band features only Fito De la Parra from "The Healer" era. However, this compilation does include the late Henry Vestine, and contributions from former Heat members Walter Trout, Harvey Mandel, Larry Taylor, Robert Lucas as well as the song writing bas man Greg Kage. Highlights from a splendid album include Corey Stevens "Getaway", trout's "Home To You", and Greg Kage's "That Fat Cat". There's also a seemingly inevitable "Let's Work Together", but the album is no worse for that! |
| 2) | Ian
Parker Band "Lost And Found"
Nightmare UK This is the long awaited live effort that suggests Ian parker has finally found the line up and material that he is happy with. A rasping white boy soul vocalist who works in a broad blues-rock idiom, Ian Parker mixes raw passion with subtle guitar playing and some fine songs - the crowd pleasers are Awake At Night and Something More, but there are five more of Ian's own fine songs, plus three covers. This live album is a precise approximation of what you get live. If there's a more exciting authoritative live band on the circuit I have yet to catch them and this album tells you why. Have a listen at Ian's Website |
| 3) | Tyla
Gang "Yachtless" Mystic
Records A reissue with bonus tracks, "Yachtless" is a timely re introduction to the life and times of rocker Sean Tyla. Best know for his work with the powerful Duck Deluxe, The Tyla Gang were always a fierce live proposition that somehow managed to slip their high-energy rockaboogie into a late 70's scene dominated by Punk. The opening "Hurricane" sets the standard, and "Don't Turn Your Radio On" shows Seam could write a radio friendly tune. 6 bonus tracks include the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre Boogie", as uncompromising as its author. Watch out for an autumn tour with a new line-up. |
| 4) | Jean
Luc Ponty "Live at Semper Opera, Dresden"
Le Chant Du Monde Best known for his work with Frank Zappa and also The Mahavishna Orchestra, this album is 70 minutes plus of superb playing, by an inspired band. It would be a shame if such an inspired live album should be sidelined in the public conscience because of the uncool jazz Rock tag. As it is Jean delves into his own past, with both highlight of his 70's favourites "Imaginary Voyage", and two parts of "Enigmatic Ocean", on which William Leconte on keyboards and some fine percussion from Moustapha Cisse stands out. |
| 5) | Bob
Weir & Rat Dog "Evening Moods"
Arista Records "Evening Moods" is an ambivalent title suggesting something laid back and easy listening perhaps. And in a sense Bob Weir and his splendid band are laid back. Their approach to the opening "Bury me Stranding" mirrors the Grateful dead approach to building up a number around a riff. There's never that much attention paid to the qualities of the vocals, but as on a fiery reading of "Corrina" the guitar/keyboard interplay takes the numbers to a new height. A must then for all Dead fans, and a fine introduction to a great bad for all those previously unfamiliar with Ratdog. Watch out for an appearance at this years Canterbury Fayre. |
| 6) | Space
Ritual.net "Live at Glastonbury &
Guildford Festival 2002" Ozit Records Inspired by their recent live shows, I just had to hear how it all sounded on record. Well the truth is its more of the same organised chaos, but probably without "the vibe" of being at the gig itself. Nik Turner (with original Hawkwind members Mick Slattery, Terry Ollis etc, Skin Alley's Thomas Crimble and latter day Hawk bass player Dave Anderson) throws in an ode to his jazz antecedents with a weird and wonderful reading of John Coltrane's "Blue Train". There's also a welcome version of Robert Calvert's "The Awakening", and overall the rough edges to the sound are out weighed by the spirit that brings Space Ritual.net close to the original feel of Hawkwind. Click here to listen to part of "The Awakening" |
| 7) | Jimmy
C & The Blues Dragons "Snake Charmer"
Dragon Records Jimmy C is a fine blues rocker from Canada, who has enjoyed success in Japan and now has his sight set on Europe. His band The Blues Dragon are a fine road tested outfit featuring Mr A on earthy sax, the rock solid bass of Paul Soper, and energetic drumming of Steve Bray Jimmy is a passionate player and he stars on his own songs such as the funky feel of the hugely impressive "Runaway" and the equally fine Country tinged blues ballad, "Rainbows". The more derivative "Crossroads Boogie" is also to be released on the forthcoming "Ain't Nothing But" compilation album. But given the fine material here its much better to invest in the mid priced Jimmy album. Click here to listen to part of "Rainbows" |
| 8) | Michael
Hill's Blues Mob "Electric Storyland
Live" Ruf Records A double live helping of Michael Hill is an event to be looked forward to, especially given his superb shows in London last year. That said, this album contains both highs and lows. The high's are the slow blues "Lets Talk About the Weather" and the funky "Undercover", and the poignant "Hard Blues For Hard Times", and the fact that as the album title suggests, Michael writes some great songs and tells some great stories. The down side is that his very best efforts like "Monticello Nights" become overburdened with an overblown intro and a road ragged voice. Still the crowd lap it up, and Hill remains in the forefront of the contemporary blues scene. |
| 9) | Shiva Shakti
"Shiva Shakti" Mystic Records |
| 10) | Mick
Pini Band "Blues Survivor"
Gemma Records Mick Pini is an understated guitarist who comes close to peter Green at his best, and is heavily reminiscent of Clapton in his Blues Breakers period. That simply is a statement of admiration rather than anything pejorative. After all Pini has been around since the late 80's when he was "discovered" by Mike Vernon, and his style has never wavered. Now living in Germany and surrounded by a fine German band, Mick picks off some sumptuous notes to go with a world weary, emotive blues voice. He never wastes a note, and steadily builds up a head of steam in a slow burning but thoroughly convincing and enjoyable set. |